So, how the hell did I end up with a 30-year old-daughter? |
I almost burned down my mother-in-law’s house when I learned I was about to become a dad for the first time. And she was a brand new mother-in-law, freshly minted, to match my brand new wife.
The reason for the arson was this: my wife, of less than ten days, and I had just returned from honeymoon in Paris. We’d had a great time but it was a wee bit overshadowed by Nicky feeling sick most days. As we checked into the bridal suite, she thought she was getting the flu. I adopted the kind, caring persona of a devoted groom, whilst secretly muttering inside my head that now we couldn’t go dancing and drinking champagne until dawn.
On the way home, Nicky snuck off at the airport. I thought she was buying me some treat as I’d been such a lovely lad. She returned seemingly empty-handed. We landed, then headed to my parents-in-law’s house for a welcome home party.
Thinking I was Mr Cool - all grown up; a husband no less - I stopped to buy steaks and wine on the way to make dinner for everyone when we arrived. After the kisses and hellos, I hit the kitchen - and vino - and Nicky vanished.
She reappeared clutching something plastic just as I put the steaks on. ‘You’re going to be a dad,’ she said, twirling what turned out to be a pregnancy test, bought at the airport. That flu was morning sickness.
Niamh Mackay, left, aged six, and her sister Caitie, five (Image: Christopher Furlong)
I staggered around for a moment, like someone with a head injury, and then found myself jumping up and down, screaming half with joy half with........